Arsene Wenger refuses to cure Arsenal's ills by spending big in the January transfer window

After Arsenal’s worst start to a league season under Arsène Wenger, the fans
may yet opt for the Christmas shops rather than today’s important date with
West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates. The stay-aways may not like it, but
they can count on one thing: the manager is not about to embark on a
shopping spree of his own.

Arsenal may have banked £150million from a new shirt-sponsorship deal with Emirates but Wenger is not about to blow the proceeds on strengthening a squad who have won just twice in the league in 10 games.

“It won’t change,” Wenger said. “It doesn’t mean we will not spend money. I am always painted like a guy who refuses to spend money, like a greedy guy. But I just think I act like a responsible manager because we went through a period where we had restricted funds and I acted in a responsible way.

“I don’t say that money doesn’t play a part in it, but it’s not only about that. We have to continue to believe that it’s not only about that. What is the game about then? Football has to be even, interesting, unpredictable.”

It is certainly unpredictable at the Emirates. With three wins from seven home games, and none since the 5-2 defeat of Tottenham, a nascent revolt is brewing in the well-upholstered seats of the Emirates, especially after last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Swansea .

Wenger is adamant they are wrong to moan, and in Europe this week found more justification for his faith in prudence and youth.

“We will see where we stand at the end of the season but we have just qualified for the last 16 [of the Champions League]. People who have spent a lot of money have not done it. So we have to trust this team and stand behind them because they deserve it. They will deliver.”

Wenger even suggested that to try to buy titles in the manner of Chelsea and Manchester City, both – unlike Arsenal – eliminated from the Champions League this week, was a betrayal of the values of the English game.

“I have big respect for the passion about the game in England, I have big respect for this country, but football is more than just splashing out. It’s much deeper, much bigger than that, It’s about sweat, thinking, working hard. It’s what makes this football strong and interesting.

“If you go to Nottingham Forest they have won the league. If you go to Aston Villa they have won the league. That means historically this country has always been about effort. Thoughtful thinking about the game. I am scared all these qualities today have less importance in the game.”

Wenger claimed that the club’s predicament this season, 10th after 15 games and with just two wins in 10, is not as serious as their predicament last season, when they recovered to finish third.

“Let’s not go overboard. We have 24 games to play, we are in all the competitions, what many clubs would love to be.”

December will determine whether he is right, with games against Reading, Wigan, West Ham and Newcastle following the West Bromwich Albion match.

Improving home form, and getting dispirited fans onside, will be the key, Wenger said. “To get the fans behind the team, the attitude has to come from us. We have to be united and turn that around. Away from home, we have been quite positive and consistent. At home, it’s true we haven’t found our flow yet.”

Wenger confirmed that Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski and Bacary Sagna would also miss the game, and confessed to frustration at contract negotiations with both Walcott and Sagna.

He expects Sagna to stay at the club despite the defender’s dismay at only being offered a one-year extension to his current 18-month deal, and said Walcott needed to make his mind up. “Will we sell Theo in January? No. But the player knows what I want, and he has to make up his mind.”